The Impact of Obesity and Chronic Hyperinsulinemia on Gonadotropin Release and Gonadal Steroid Secretion in the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome*

We investigated whether obesity was a marker for a neuroendocrinologically distinct form of the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO). Further, since women with PCO have significantly higher basal and/or glucose-stimulated plasma insulin levels, we also examined the effects of chronic hyperinsulinemia on gonadotropin and gonadal steroid secretion. Ten obese women (nine with acanthosis nigricans) and five nonobese women (one with acanthosis nigricans)...